How to start with AI

[Axel]

I will likely drop into AI soon, too, to play with/against my son.

With roughly 10k of Epic Orks (before Gargants) one army is set. With the size differences I will have to replace my Epic fighterbommers for AI/FW stuff, and will likely go for the suggested force and some Bommas (they simply look too good to pass).

What would be an appropriate opponent for Orks? Are there any matches that should be avoided (like Necrons vs. Guard in 40k), or do they all play fun and well? I am leaning towards Guard to start with, but honestly I am suficiently in love with the 40k background that I will play any race, and would like to choose that which offers the most fun if pitched against Orks.

I would like to draw from your experiences here...

[MadDogMike]

Honestly I don't know if any of the races thus far are unbalanced vs. each other, with the exception perhaps of superheavy fliers that aren't commonly used anyway. Orks basically need to rely on their insanely heavy firepower at close range to kill fighters. You might have some issues with faster races (Eldar are obnoxious to all factions, but at least they're costed appropriately) but most of the reports I've heard about orks make them out as very deadly.

In answer to your question for "good first match", the Imperium probably does work best. Get some Thunderbolts and a pair of Lightnings and you're good to go for dogfighting; Marauders for bombing and Valkyries/Thunderhawks for transport missions can follow later. One other thing to consider buying with your orks also that isn't listed is Grot bombs; they're technically an optional weapon, but they add a lot to fighta-bombas and let's face it, how can you resist a grot-piloted suicide bomb?

[Axel]

Thanks. Grot bombs will certainly go on my list.
Seems that a well made Ork force with all of the three bommers will easily cost around 125, and if I go for some variety with the Imperials that should amount to free shipping (ouch).

Anyway. Does it make sense to include some ground defenses to start? How well do the Epic SG antiair trukks fit towards the FW flyers?

[fattdex]

chaos and orks play fairly similarly, so i wouldn't go for them. i'd grab four to six thunderbolts and two lightnings, ground defences arent necessary and only come into their own in big games with points to spare.

[Tyra_Nid]

What would be an appropriate opponent for Orks? Are there any matches that should be avoided (like Necrons vs. Guard in 40k), or do they all play fun and well?

I would say that Imperials are a great opponent for Orks. They are quite balanced, and I think with similarly skilled players they would be very evenly matched.

No matchups should be 'avoided' as such, but some combinations can be more difficult for one side or the other. Just remember that this isnt a tourny game, so things arent always going to be even!

(Eldar are obnoxious to all factions, but at least they're costed appropriately)

Well, except for the Vampire Hunter

One other thing to consider buying with your orks also that isn't listed is Grot bombs;

Seconded- great fun!

Does it make sense to include some ground defenses to start? How well do the Epic SG antiair trukks fit towards the FW flyers?

I wouldnt bother. You wont use ground defences in most missions, and they arent good value in game terms, either (except in some specialised situations).

Relative sizes of SG vs FW wont matter that much, since it is a different perspective (ground vs air). If the SG AA trucks are same size as the plastic epic trucks, then the scale match is pretty good.

chaos and orks play fairly similarly,

GEH!? No way... Only thing similar is the outnumbering element... Otherwise they are very different kettles of fish.

Eldar and Chaos have more in common than Orks and Chaos

[fattdex]

i dunno, we played orks vs chaos a couple of times and the moves and ranges have been pretty similar even if the speeds haven't been.

[Tyra_Nid]

Hmmm. They are both fast and swarmy, BUT:

Chaos optimal range is medium, Ork is short.
Chaos has very high maneuverability, Ork does not.
Chaos has the thrust to adjust speed very quickly, Ork does not (and really need to play the Alt game to work on speed)
Chaos is very fragile, Ork is not.

Maybe its just me, but when I use either, I tend to play different games and cant imagine them using the same strategies unless there is something wild Im not thinking of...

[MadDogMike]

Thanks. Grot bombs will certainly go on my list.
Seems that a well made Ork force with all of the three bommers will easily cost around 125, and if I go for some variety with the Imperials that should amount to free shipping (ouch).

Heh, yeah I wound up getting my Eldar airforce at Games Day Baltimore to avoid the shipping cost at least; my wallet is still wincing.

Anyway. Does it make sense to include some ground defenses to start? How well do the Epic SG antiair trukks fit towards the FW flyers?

Nice but unneeded, particularly if you already have the Epic versions. Your Epic stuff will also come in handy for making ground targets for attack missions BTW (much more interesting than bombing an objective marker ).

[killa kan kaus]

I am looking to start with chaos but there is not much selections can chaos "loot" vehicles or take any ground defences?

[Darnok]

I am looking to start with chaos but there is not much selections can chaos "loot" vehicles or take any ground defences?

There is no official option to "loot" other flyers, but I would use common sense. If you want to play missions that need transports, you have to hijack something, as Chaos doesn't have any transports at the moment. Same goes for ground defences. From the background you are on the safe side, as "traitor guard or renegades" includes air forces as well.

[tabletopnews]

I agree. Just use Imperial air defences for the moment and say they are traitor units or have been taken over by renegades.

Ditto for the transport option

[killa kan kaus]

thanks chaos decorated valkrie should work fine and be fun to paint

[Cal585]

There's no Chaos transport? Do you just have to use a traitor guard one?

I'm hoping to start AI. I will probably end up collecting two forces, and as such will probably just start with the rulebook and a couple of fighters.

I will definately be starting Tau, but I'm a little unsure on which second force to collect (which would also end up being my second army in 40k and BFG if I start). The two options so far are; Daemonhunters (probably just Imperial vehicles) or Thousand Sons.

What are the main differences in game play between Imperial and Chaos?

Would a Thousand Son paint scheme (blue with gold raised areas) work on the Chaos vehicles? And has anyone done anything similar (did do a Google search btu didn't find anything much...)

Is one more balanced against Tau than the other?

Thanks for any help.

[Tyra_Nid]

Imperials and Chaos are hugely different.

Chaos are far faster and maneuverable, but are fragile and pack a bit less of a punch. They have no transport option, and less variety in aircraft (whereas Imperial has the widest range in the game).

Chaos: Swarmy, fast horde (tie-fighters)
Imperial: Mid-range in just about everything, basic fighters have some of the most withering firepower for their class (Thunderbolt).

Imperial and Tau are probably the closest match in terms of play style (with a few interesting differences). Chaos and Tau will be very different, but challenging to play especially if new.

[Cal585]

Hmmm... thanks. What do most Chaos players do when they need a transport in a scenario? Just use an Imperial traitor one?

...This is going to be very hard to decide...

[Tyra_Nid]

Dunno, never seen a Chaos player use a transport

Traitor Imperial seems to be the widely accepted option. Thunderhawk seems quite logical.

[Cal585]

Hmmm... I'll probably go with Imperials and create a Daemonhunters 40k army. I'll start saving for the rulebook and some Barracudas and Thunderbolts (probably one of each to start).

If I was to get the Tactica Imperialis book, would that need a lot of models for the campaign inside?

[Cal585]

I'll just wait until the Tactica Imperialis book comes out.

In the meantime, how even are Thunderbolts and Barracudas (say if I was to get 2 of each)?

[Crube]

So, looking at AI from the outside, is it primarily an air to air combat game, or does it rely on interaction with Epic stuff...

I'm assuming it's a game in it's own right.


( I know this is probably a dumb question, but I want to be sure before I shell out on the book...)

[Leunam]

In the meantime, how even are Thunderbolts and Barracudas (say if I was to get 2 of each)?

This is how I started out, and if I remember right, they will be the exact same points with additional weapon loads. I think the Tau and Imperials are very evenly matched.

So, looking at AI from the outside, is it primarily an air to air combat game, or does it rely on interaction with Epic stuff

It's all dogfights, but there are some ground aspects to keep in mind that are optional (bombing runs, strafing, defences, landing/picking up troops). Epic doesn't play any role in it whatsoever.